Chocolate

PLEASE NOTE THAT UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE UNABLE TO FLY OUR ANIMALS EITHER WITHIN WA OR INTERSTATE

NAME: Chocolate (aka Chocco)

BEFORE SAFE ESPERANCE: Came to SAFE Esperance as an owner surrender.

BREED: Husky x Malamute x Border Collie
General breed traits: Siberian Husky - this breed is intelligent, sensitive, friendly and gentle but has an independence which requires experienced owners. Their ability to learn is great but they can be stubborn as they nurture a free spirit. Huskies are great escape artists that require high fencing that cannot be jumped or dug under - plenty of exercise and obedience training is required for this high energy dog to reduce boredom and unwanted behaviours. Huskies generally love people and other dogs and don't like being alone - they are definitely pack animals. They have a high prey drive and cannot generally live with other small species.

Alaskan Malamute - originally bred for pulling sleds and hunting seals and bears this breed is high energy, strong, independent, affectionate, they love people and are intelligent. They need early socialisation with other dogs and a strong dog experienced owner as they can challenge for top position. They are notorious diggers and will become destructive if not properly trained or exercised. Their high prey drive precludes living with small pets. They shed their coat twice a year and require consistent grooming. They don't tolerate being alone.

Border Collie - originally bred to herd sheep they are a sensitive breed that needs company. Affectionate with family and people friendly. Highly intelligent and easy to train they need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation - they are not cuddly couch potatoes and need a job. They will herd anything that moves such as children, cars, bikes etc. They need an active owner, not a novice owner.
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ASSETS: Shy initially with people he meets, but very loving once you have gained his trust. Once he's comfortable in his surroundings he's laidback, obedient, protective and very sweet.

FAVOURITE THINGS: Being near his people. He loves human company and is happy to just chill as long as his person is nearby. He's excited initially to see you when you arrive home but will then go and lie down quietly waiting for his dinner or his walk or both! Chocco absolutely lives for his walks and runs and loves nothing more than getting out and about for some exercise - he would make a great running companion. He's not really interested in playing with toys but this may change with time. He enjoys time at the beach and likes to run into the water.

ENDEARING FEATURES: His affectionate nature makes him a delight to have around. He's a very loyal boy with endless amounts of love to give in the right home and he is not demanding but will wait quietly for your attention.

OTHER ANIMALS: Chocco likes all other friendly dogs after gentle introduction, but may pull to get to them and say hello. He is very sweet and tolerant and is generally submissive. He is fine with dog-friendly cats after closely supervised introduction and is living with a cat in foster at present. He cannot live with smaller furries such as rabbits and will chase birds (a Husky thing!). He has lived around horses and loves to go on trail rides and will just plod behind doing his own thing.

GENERAL INFO: Chocco needs some training on the lead without the correct harness/halti. He is housetrained and will bark to get attention or if there are strangers or other animals around. He knows a few commands and is very responsive to his human, he loves a treat so training should be reasonably easy with him. Chocco is very excited by bikes/motorbikes and wants to chase (loves the postie!) so good fencing is a must. A property where he doesn't have access to the front area is best for him.

ESSENTIALS for Chocco:

** An active, loving home where someone is there for part of the day on a permanent basis or he has a similarly aged gentle doggy friend to keep him company

**He needs good daily exercise and an active home that is willing to involve him in family activities.

** A large. fenced, secure yard with grass and plenty of interesting things for him to sniff and explore. If bored he may fence run so back access only may be necessary.

** To be with his family when home so needs to be allowed inside when he wishes and to sleep inside at night - on the bed if allowed!!

** With his double coat he requires daily grooming to remove dead undercoat and keep his coat healthy, this really is essential.

Chocco could live with dog-savvy, gentle teenagers, who will spend time with him and recognize when he needs to relax.

If Chocco sounds like the perfect fit for your family, please send an enquiry and we'll be in touch soon.